BILOXI, Miss. (WLOX) – The growing nationwide trend of pickleball now has South Mississippi residents picking up a racket and hitting the courts.

For pickleball player Robin Midcalf Brosig, the goal was to be more active. Unexpectedly, he also discovered a sense of community.

Brosig says, “So many wonderful people playing. I mean, you meet people anyway, but there’s just a different vibe with the pickleball community. I have people at different places that I have met that I enjoy playing with. I still look forward to public spaces especially indoors to play with them.”

Brosig plays pickleball mostly at Picklr.

Owner David Johnston says the reason pickleball has picked up here on the Gulf is because anyone, despite their athletic ability, can learn the rules of the court.

Johnston says, “So, you don’t have to be an athletic person. A lot of people come in and say they’re not very athletic but I want to play pickleball. Anyone can pick it up and learn how to play and have a competitive fun game early on in your first night playing. You can learn how to hit the ball with the rules and then learn how to have a fun game.”

Brosig says that everyone she has invited to the courts has been hooked since.

Brosig says, “It’s addictive and I just can’t tell you one person that I have said try pickleball that didn’t love it.”

In addition to Picklr, another sports facility will also soon allow Coast residents to hit the courts.

Southern Swing Sports is putting the finishing touches on a new facility in Gulfport.

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